Big Sky Documentary Film Festival - The Sandman
A doctor walks the line of his own morality as he participates in executions, while personally opposing capital punishment.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer: Lauren Knapp
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I was interested in the role medicine plays in executions - and particularly how it contradicts with the intended purpose of medicine. Executions in the United States rely on using medicine in a way that has never been scientifically studied and in a way that the medical community does not support. I was curious about the impact of this sort of conflict had on the process and what it means.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
While this film is about a doctor's involvement in capital punishment, i hope that viewers can take more from viewing it. It is also about how a person can embody contradictions and how one makes compromises to work within a certain system. I also hope this film provides a way for viewers to talk about the polarizing topic of capital punishment in a new way.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The personal themes are those surrounding Dr. Musso and his wife's own struggles with participating in executions as health care providers. They each struggle with their involvement in different ways and to different degrees. Universally, they come to represent something greater than themselves. They show us how ordinary people operate within a larger system that they might not support. While their circumstances are unique, we might see ways in which we have all justified our own participation in a larger system we do not support.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
When I first reached out to Dr. Musso I was interested in telling a much larger story. I knew that he was building a nursing home for returned citizens who were on parole. I was curious about how this new project related to his work with executions. Unfortunately, the nursing home was still under construction during the course of filming and I was unable to film the reality of the patients' experiences. Additionally, as I got to know Dr. Musso through interviews and additional research, I came to see the central story as centered around his personal justifications and became increasingly interested in how I or another might react in a similar situation.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Viewers often have mixed reactions to Dr. Musso and the film - which I appreciate. I want this film to inspire dialogue rather than tell people what to think. I see Dr. Musso as a complicated person and the various reactions I have received reflect this. People always bring their own biases into the viewing of a film - I think and hope that this challenges viewers to think about capital punishment in a new way - opening up a space for dialogue.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The process of making the film challenged me to think very critically about my personal feelings about capital punishment and lethal injection specifically. It also challenged me to think about my role and responsibility as a filmmaker - the responsibility I have to both the people I film and the audience to portray as truthful a story as I can. There is a certain amount of gray area involved in documentary - and not everyone sees the story as I do.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Distributors, Sales Agents, Festival Directors, Journalists --- anyone who will help get the film into the world!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like it to spark real dialogue - Ideally that would involve constructing panel discussions after a screening and getting the film into classrooms (particularly law and medical school classrooms).
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is the true role of medicine? Is it better to partake in a system you do not support to alleviate an individual's suffering, knowing that your participation is perpetuating that system? Is Dr. Musso unique?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Affordable childcare
Interview: February 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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The Sandman
A doctor walks the line of his own morality as he participates in executions, while personally opposing capital punishment.
Length: 19 min
Writer/Director/Producer: Lauren Knapp
About the writer, director and producer:
Lauren Knapp works across platforms to share true and compelling stories. The story comes first and the medium second. She has told stories using radio, broadcast television, film, and 360 video. Her work has appeared on the PBS NewsHour, NPR, PRI’s The World, The Atlantic Monthly, to name a few. For Knapp, documentary is a form of investigation - of an idea, a location, an event, or a person. While her interests vary (Mongolian rock music, lockdown drills in elementary schools, DIY body hackers, the experience of femininity through aging, the use of medicine in executions), her approach is consistent - she dives deep into the story.
Her first 360 video project, “The Crystal Reef” (co-directed with Cody Karutz), premiered at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival as part of the Virtual Arcade. Her films have been shown at festivals throughout North America, Europe and Asia including the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Big Sky Film Festival, Independent Film Festival of Boston, and Thin Line Film Festival.
Key cast: Dr. Carlo Musso, Teresa Musso
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
All but producers
Funders:
Made in association with:
More info and where can I see it in the next month?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesandmanfilm
Website: https://sandman-film.com/